Writing Ideas - New Novel, part 930, Publishing, Protagonists, Example: Centurion

28 October 2016, Writing Ideas - New Novel, part 930, Publishing, Protagonists, Example: Centurion

Announcement: Delay, my new novels can be seen on the internet, but the publisher has delayed all their fiction output due to the economy.  I'll keep you informed.  More information can be found at www.ancientlight.com.  Check out my novels--I think you'll really enjoy them.

Introduction: I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon. This was my 21st novel and through this blog, I gave you the entire novel in installments that included commentary on the writing. In the commentary, in addition to other general information on writing, I explained, how the novel was constructed, the metaphors and symbols in it, the writing techniques and tricks I used, and the way I built the scenes. You can look back through this blog and read the entire novel beginning with http://www.pilotlion.blogspot.com/2010/10/new-novel-part-3-girl-and-demon.html.

I'm using this novel as an example of how I produce, market, and eventually (we hope) get a novel published. I'll keep you informed along the way.

Today's Blog: To see the steps in the publication process, visit my writing website http://www.ldalford.com/ and select "production schedule," you will be sent to http://www.sisteroflight.com/.

The four plus one basic rules I employ when writing:

1. Don't confuse your readers.

2. Entertain your readers.

3. Ground your readers in the writing.

4. Don't show (or tell) everything.

     4a. Show what can be seen, heard, felt, smelled, and tasted on the stage of the novel.

5. Immerse yourself in the world of your writing.

All novels have five discrete parts:

1.  The initial scene (the beginning)

2.  The rising action

3.  The climax

4.  The falling action

5.  The dénouement

The theme statement of my 26th novel, working title, Shape, proposed title, Essie: Enchantment and the Aos Si, is this: Mrs. Lyons captures a shape-shifting girl in her pantry and rehabilitates her.

I finished writing my 27^th novel, working title, Claire, potential title Sorcha: Enchantment and the Curse.  This might need some tweaking.  The theme statement is: Claire (Sorcha) Davis accepts Shiggy, a dangerous screw-up, into her Stela branch of the organization and rehabilitates her.  

Here is the cover proposal for Essie: Enchantment and the Aos Si.  Essie is my 26th novel.

Cover Proposal

The most important scene in any novel is the initial scene, but eventually, you have to move to the rising action. I started writing my 28^th novel, working title Red Sonja. 

I'm an advocate of using the/a scene input/output method to drive the rising action--in fact, to write any novel. 

Scene development:

1.  Scene input (easy)

2.  Scene output (a little harder)

3.  Scene setting (basic stuff)

4.  Creativity (creative elements of the scene)

5.  Tension (development of creative elements to build excitement)

6.  Release (climax of creative elements)

 

How to begin a novel.  Number one thought, we need an entertaining idea.  I usually encapsulate such an idea with a theme statement.  Since I’m writing a new novel, we need a new theme statement.  Here is an initial cut.

 

Red Sonja, a Soviet spy, infiltrates the X-plane programs at Edwards AFB as a test pilot’s administrative clerk, learns about freedom, and is redeemed.

 

These are the steps I use to write a novel:

 

1.      Design the initial scene

2.      Develop a theme statement (initial setting, protagonist, protagonist’s helper or antagonist, action statement)

a.       Research as required

b.      Develop the initial setting

c.       Develop the characters

d.      Identify the telic flaw (internal and external)

3.      Write the initial scene (identify the output: implied setting, implied characters, implied action movement)

4.      Write the next scene(s) to the climax (rising action)

5.      Write the climax scene

6.      Write the falling action scene(s)

7.      Write the dénouement scene

 

Would you like to write a novel that a publisher will consider?  Would you like to write a novel that is published?  How about one that sells? 

 

Centurion was published by then Capstone which became Oaktara publishing in 2008.  Centurion is a novel about the Centurion Abenadar who led the crucifixion of Christ.  This novel is unique in that it looks at the Roman point of view and to a degree, the Jewish point of view.  Abenadar.  Here is the physical description of Adenadar:

 

Naomi’s son, Abenadar grew quickly and straight.  Abenadar was known as Able to the people of Natzeret.  Most had forgotten his origins, or they didn’t care anymore.  He had the cast of a boy of the Galil with the face of a Roman.  His eyes were gray and filled his features with a constant sober appearance.  Even as a child, he was given to a fixed and disconcerting gaze that many times took his opponents by surprise.  Abenadar’s mind and limbs were fit and strong.  At 17 he did a man’s work—when he could find it.  Alone, no one bothered him, and he had long ago shown the boy’s of Natzeret that even a group was not a good match against the child of Naomi of the hill.  When they tried to beat him, he out ran them and picked them off one by one.  They gave up their persecution of him early and let him join, an unwelcome and always isolated playmate—never a friend.  Except to Yeshua.

      

Abenadar is definitely a Romantic character.  He can’t be made into a pathetic character.  Later in the novel, Ruth, Abenadar’s live in becomes a pathos developing character, but Abenadar can’t be.  Abenadar is the perfect Centurion.  He is a man who thrives on military skills and military life.  His only problem is his inheritance as a Roman and a Jew.  Abeandar is intelligent, practiced in languages, skillful with weapons, and in leading men.  He understands the problems Pilate faces and solves many of them.   In the sense of the times, Adenadar meets all the criteria for a perfect man.  What makes him a Romantic character is that he is at odds with his own Jewish and Roman culture.  He takes a Jewish whore to be his companion.  He holds to the Jewish rites and blessings of his childhood.  He is trusted by his master, the legatus and Pilate because he is a great tactician and strategizer.  Abenadar is at odds with his Roman culture because he must kill his first friend Yeshua. 

 

To see the power of a great Romantic character, Centurion is an excellent example.  You can buy and read the novel.  Not only that, you can gain perhaps the best historical view of the Legions and Roman military in the first century.  The history in the novel is as perfect as our knowledge of the times can make it.  Just look at the reviews.

 

More tomorrow.

For more information, you can visit my author site http://www.ldalford.com/, and my individual novel websites:

http://www.ancientlight.com/
http://www.aegyptnovel.com/
http://www.centurionnovel.com
http://www.thesecondmission.com/
http://www.theendofhonor.com/
http://www.thefoxshonor.com
http://www.aseasonofhonor.com  

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